Choosing a Bedside Cot for Twins

It's best to keep twins who are just born close to each other, but you should also adhere to safety sleep guidelines. A proper crib arrangement can help your twins develop a consistent sleeping routine.

A double bassinet that has an divider is a great option for twins. These portable beds let parents keep their infants close for diaper changes and mid-night feedings. These beds are also great for babies who may outgrow their baby bassinets when they reach toddlerhood.

Space-Saving

Twins can share a bed in a bedside baby sleeper cot, as long as you follow safe guidelines for sleeping (that's to say that they should be lying on their backs, with the tops of their heads touching each other and feet at opposite ends of the cot). When they're big enough, they may also sleep together in a Moses Basket or regular crib.

This Delta double bassinet has a mesh divider that allows babies to be separated, but still close. It also has a pocket for storage for snacks and wipes. Additionally, it folds flat and makes it easy to move around the house or go on trips.

This EZ Fold Twin Bassinet, available at Walmart can swivel to allow you to bring fussy twins nearer to you to feed them and soothe them. The sides can be raised or lowered for easy access, and are locked to ensure safety. It's a bit bigger and heavier than other models, but great for second floor or homes for grandparents. It also comes with a bag for travel. It's also a lot cheaper than the Halo Bassinest Twin.

Convenience

It is not recommended that parents of twins place their babies in the same bassinet or crib. Instead the Rednose group Rednose suggests that twins be given their own secure sleeping space (crib, bassinet or portable crib) in the parents' or caregiver's room until they turn 12 months old to reduce the chance of SIDS. This arrangement is also referred to as co-bedding and it has been proven that twins who are used to this type of sleeping environment typically have a more synchronized sleep pattern than those who sleep separately.

One of the most efficient methods to accomplish this is by using a twin bedside cot, like the Teknum FELLOW 2 that comes with two separate bedding sets, so that every baby can have a personal and comfortable space. This bedside cot wooden cot is also easily moved from one room to another depending on the need. It provides a convenient and easy way to check on your children without disturbing their sleep patterns or wake them up.

Other options include double bassinets specially designed for infants that allow them to stay side-by-side and are ideal for middle-of-the-night feeding or changing diapers. The Halo Bassinest Twin, for example, has a breathable mesh divider and a height that can be adjusted so that every baby is visible and reachable at all times, and the sides of the sleeper are raised and lower to allow easy access. If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Walmart-exclusive Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet is similar, featuring two sleep zones separated by mesh panels that allow babies to see one another, and the entire sleeper can rotate 360 degrees to give an easy access to every infant.

For short-term situations like an emergency family visit or hospitalization Parents have reported success in co-bedding twins in the large moses basket or small bassinette with divider. This should only be done with the supervision of by a healthcare professional. They will ensure that the babies are properly placed on their feet at the foot of the crib and all bedding put into.

Safety

When twins are sleeping together, the most important security feature is that each baby has his or her own space to sleep in. This prevents each baby from being smothered, choked, or otherwise choking by the other. This also helps avoid deaths in the cot, which are more frequent in infants who are single than in multiples.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that triplets, twins, and higher-order multiplications have their own sleeping space. This can be accomplished with an additional bassinet, or twin bedside crib that you can place on your bed to feed or comfort one of your babies during the night.

While the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently issued recommendations to reduce the SIDS risk by encouraging room sharing and discouraging cobedding, a lot of families with twins and multiples find it difficult to adhere to these guidelines (1). A previous study found that a majority of families of twins who were cobedded during the first 3 months at home used unsafe sleep practices (room sharing without cobedding).

Parents of twins may not adhere to current SIDS guidelines due to a desire to sleep longer and absence of space in the home to accommodate multiple cribs. Additionally, socioeconomic status can influence family decisions regarding the arrangement of their sleep.

When twins are placed side-by-side in a small crib or Moses basket, they could easily become entangled by their bedding and potentially choke on each other. If you decide to sleep your twins together in the same cot it is essential to place them in the feet-to-head position and their bedding tucked securely into each cot to minimize the possibility of them colliding with each other.

A bassinet for bed, such as the Halo Bassinest Twin, is one of the most secure and easier options for twins who want to be able to sleep independently. The double bassinet features mesh walls to separate twins and give them their own flat, safe sleeping surface. It can be turned 360 degrees, so you can bring your child closer to you without leaving your bed. The side walls automatically lower and return with every movement. It is also easy to clean and fits in the standard twin-sized bed frame. For a less expensive alternative, look into the Delta Children Twin EZ Fold Double Bassinet, which is available at Walmart and offers similar features as the Halo Bassinest.

Comfort

It's a huge change to welcome twins or multiples into the world. They also require a lot of planning and thinking in regards to their sleeping arrangements and how they can get a good night's sleep. While decisions regarding their bedroom space are made later in life, parents often wonder how they can help their children to feel comfortable in the beginning stages.

It is possible for twins to share a single cot when they are very small. Co-bedding is a method of comforting newborns by bringing them back to their womb. The key is to make sure the beds are big enough for the babies to feel comfortable without touching or rolling around. Also, keep in mind that the baby who awakes first should be fed. It is helpful to coordinate night feeds in order to get one baby bedside crib up before the other.

It is crucial to remember that twins are distinct and may have their own sleep patterns. It is possible that one baby sleeps more than the other or is more comfortable being close to you. In this situation it is possible to provide each twin with their own crib or bassinet.

When shopping for a twin bedside cot, look for models that feature breathable mesh dividers to create separate sleeping spaces. This is especially important for babies that are prone to overheating, or families with c-section moms. Reversible bases and wheels that are easy to move are also helpful features. The Arm's Reach cot is a great option for these needs, as it offers an ample sleeping space and is designed with mothers who have c-sections in mind. Other options are the Graco Pack 'n Play and the Fisher-Price Easy Swivel but they have less sleeping space than the Arm's Reach cot.

It is not recommended to sleep with twins in the same bed with an adult, even if they are close. There is a higher risk of SIDS, and can cause suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Instead it is recommended that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that twins sleep in their own safe sleeping spaces, such as bassinets or cribs, in their parent's room for the first six months.